The Motional Blog

Welcome to the Motional blog. Sometimes we want to share the latest thinking, our thoughts, feedback from those using Motional, or ideas from communities working to support emotional wellbeing around the globe.

Get in touch if you have something to ask, something to share or something you think needs to be said!

Neuro-affirmative Practice - A strengths-based approach

Motional is committed to neuro-affirming practice. We've introduced our Neuro-affirming 'Always-Never' descriptors to validate all neurotypes in Snapshot and Groupshot completion, supporting a strengths-based approach that sees and values the whole child....

So, What Is Teacher Wellbeing - and How Far-Reaching Are the Impacts?

Wellbeing is often discussed in broad, professional terms, and is writ large in the new Ofsted framework. When we apply that same generic lens to teaching, we risk missing something important. Teaching is not just cognitively demanding - it is emotionally intensive, relational, a...

Paradoxfsted – When Wellbeing & Inspection Pretend They’re Friends!

In this Joy Division podcast, an international group of wellbeing professionals come together to explore “Paradoxfsted”- the paradox of wellbeing and inspection in education....

The new Ofsted Framework (2025): a Brighter Future for Children’s Wellbeing?

Announcements of changes from Ofsted don’t often meet with enthusiasm, but this one struck a slightly different chord in the Motional Team. Since Motional’s launch, the mission has been simple: "To prioritise Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health for children and young people...

Deliberate Joy: Unlocking a Hidden Wellbeing Superpower

The return of The Joy Division! A growing band of wellbing professionals who chat about all things 'wellbeing' - and share their conversations! In this video, we explore the concept of deliberate joy as a hidden superpower for wellbeing in educational settings. We discuss how...

Rethinking the Return: From Attendance Targets to Emotional Safety and Belonging!

As schools reopen after the summer break, the headlines and the government return to a familiar theme: attendance. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson recently suggested that children who miss the first week of term risk “starting badly.” The implication is clear: absence is a...